Seattle’s budget: Where’s the money going?

As the Seattle City Council prepares to weigh in on Mayor McGinn’s spending plan, here’s a look at 2014’s potential winners and losers in the $4.4 billion budget.

By BY LEVI PULKKINEN

on October 14, 2013 9:01 PM

Photo: Paul Joseph Brown/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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As the Seattle City Council prepares to weigh in on Mayor McGinn’s spending plan, here’s a look at 2014’s potential winners and losers in the $4.4 billion budget. We’ve ranked the city departments in terms of growth; click through to see which services are coming out on top.

As the Seattle City Council prepares to weigh in on Mayor... Photo-5322160.72106 - seattlepi.com

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44. Office of Sustainability and Environment -- 56 percent proposed decrease in 2014 from 2012 -- $2,518,090 total proposed budget for 2014: This office, which is primarily concerned with improving the energy efficiency of city buildings, has seen its staff cut by a third since 2012, to 10 employees. less

44. Office of Sustainability and Environment -- 56 percent proposed decrease in 2014 from 2012 -- $2,518,090 total proposed budget for 2014: This office, which is primarily concerned with improving the energy ... more

43. Office of Economic Development -- 31 percent proposed decrease -- $8,667,657 total proposed budget for 2014: A federal block grant that previously provided much of the department's budget lost $4.3 million from 2012. New expenditures for 2014 include $875,000 for economic development in the International District. less

43. Office of Economic Development -- 31 percent proposed decrease -- $8,667,657 total proposed budget for 2014: A federal block grant that previously provided much of the department's budget lost $4.3 million ... more

42. Pike Place Market Levy -- 12.5 percent proposed decrease -- $8,951,750 total proposed budget for 2014: With the Pike Place Market renovation coming in under budget, city accountants expect a surplus when the renovations funded here are completed in 2014. less

42. Pike Place Market Levy -- 12.5 percent proposed decrease -- $8,951,750 total proposed budget for 2014: With the Pike Place Market renovation coming in under budget, city accountants expect a surplus when ... more

40. Department of Parks and Recreation -- 1 percent proposed increase -- $172,399,117 total proposed budget for 2014: Two new park rangers tasked with policing downtown Seattle parks and Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill are included in the 2014 budget. Park fees account for about $133 million. less

38. Firefighter Relief and Pension Fund -- 4.7 percent proposed increase -- $19,320,392 total proposed budget for 2014: Firefighters hired by the city before 1977 draw on this program, which gets about 93 percent of its funding from the city's general fund. less

38. Firefighter Relief and Pension Fund -- 4.7 percent proposed increase -- $19,320,392 total proposed budget for 2014: Firefighters hired by the city before 1977 draw on this program, which gets about 93 ... more

36. Police Relief and Pension Fund -- 5.3 percent proposed increase -- $20,833,165 total proposed budget for 2014: This pension program for Seattle police officers will likely see a $1.5 million increase in 2014 due to a new contract between the Seattle Police Officer's Guild and the city. less

36. Police Relief and Pension Fund -- 5.3 percent proposed increase -- $20,833,165 total proposed budget for 2014: This pension program for Seattle police officers will likely see a $1.5 million increase in ... more

35. Police Department -- 6.2 percent proposed increase -- $286,332,986 total proposed budget for 2014: The 1,968-employee department will see $12 million in increased costs related to a new contract with the police officer's union. Violent crime investigations receive $8 million in city dollars. less

35. Police Department -- 6.2 percent proposed increase -- $286,332,986 total proposed budget for 2014: The 1,968-employee department will see $12 million in increased costs related to a new contract with the ... more

34. Seattle Municipal Court -- 7.5 percent proposed increase -- $28,661,997 total proposed budget for 2014: The Municipal Court expects to add 11 more speed cameras to Seattle school zones in 2014. Four deployed in 2013 apparently slowed drivers and created revenue. Judges would also get, collectively, a $33,960 pay raise; they still make 2 percent less than their King County equivalents. less

33. Legislative Department -- 8.6 percent proposed increase -- $12,426,779 total proposed budget for 2014: The city council and clerk, and the 85 associated employees won't see any significant changes in funding for 2014. The council is expected to cost about $4.7 million in 2014. less

33. Legislative Department -- 8.6 percent proposed increase -- $12,426,779 total proposed budget for 2014: The city council and clerk, and the 85 associated employees won't see any significant changes in ... more

28. Finance Department -- 11.1 percent proposed increase -- $416,513,413 total proposed budget for 2014: The Finance Department expects the city will spend an additional $3 million on police improvements mandated by a settlement with the Department of Justice, as well as another $1 million on improvements to the city emergency services system. Also included is a $225,000 set aside for a public toilet in Pioneer Square. less

28. Finance Department -- 11.1 percent proposed increase -- $416,513,413 total proposed budget for 2014: The Finance Department expects the city will spend an additional $3 million on police improvements ... more

27. Office of Arts and Culture -- 12.4 percent proposed increase -- $8,354,057 total proposed budget for 2014: Paid for primarily through admissions taxes on attractions, this city department saw no large, new proposals for 2014. less

27. Office of Arts and Culture -- 12.4 percent proposed increase -- $8,354,057 total proposed budget for 2014: Paid for primarily through admissions taxes on attractions, this city department saw no large, new ... more

26. Pacific Place Garage -- 12.6 percent proposed increase -- $8,687,760 total proposed budget for 2014: This would be downtown Seattle's Pacific Place parking garage. While most of the costs of the city-owned structure are covered by parking fees, city taxpayers will pay $4 million to keep it solvent. less

26. Pacific Place Garage -- 12.6 percent proposed increase -- $8,687,760 total proposed budget for 2014: This would be downtown Seattle's Pacific Place parking garage. While most of the costs of the city-owned ... more

23. Office of Housing -- 16.2 percent proposed increase -- $49,686,332 total proposed budget for 2014: Cuts to state and federal support for affordable housing have driven up this program's cost to city taxpayers. About $43 million directly supports housing for low-income city residents. less

23. Office of Housing -- 16.2 percent proposed increase -- $49,686,332 total proposed budget for 2014: Cuts to state and federal support for affordable housing have driven up this program's cost to city ... more

22. Human Services Department -- 16.4 percent proposed increase -- $129,939,220 total proposed budget for 2014: Tasked with assisting residents in need, this department expects to spend an addition $1.7 million on extending services to the homeless and needy in downtown Seattle. City funds cover about half the department's total budget. less

21. Seattle City Light -- 16.9 percent proposed increase -- $1,172,783,890 total proposed budget for 2014: City Light receives almost all of its revenue through power sales. The big cost increase for 2014 is a $3.3 million payment for improved distribution. less

21. Seattle City Light -- 16.9 percent proposed increase -- $1,172,783,890 total proposed budget for 2014: City Light receives almost all of its revenue through power sales. The big cost increase for 2014 is a ... more

20. Office of Civil Rights -- 17.4 percent proposed increase -- $2,969,071 total proposed budget for 2014: New expenses for this department include a director of the Gender Justice Initiative, announced after city leaders discovered male city employees are getting paid more than female workers. That director is expected to be paid $135,408. less

20. Office of Civil Rights -- 17.4 percent proposed increase -- $2,969,071 total proposed budget for 2014: New expenses for this department include a director of the Gender Justice Initiative, announced after ... more

18. Personnel Compensation Trust Subfunds -- 17.8 percent proposed increase -- $207,104,497 total proposed budget for 2014: Here we have the city employee benefit fund. Included here are $177 million in health care expenses, and $3.2 million in ORCA passes for city employees. less

18. Personnel Compensation Trust Subfunds -- 17.8 percent proposed increase -- $207,104,497 total proposed budget for 2014: Here we have the city employee benefit fund. Included here are $177 million in health ... more

17. Department of Transportation -- 19 percent proposed increase -- $407,227,950 total proposed budget for 2014: The 2014 budget includes increases to the arterial paving program, $8.5 million for new or improved sidewalks, and salaries for about 770 employees. less

17. Department of Transportation -- 19 percent proposed increase -- $407,227,950 total proposed budget for 2014: The 2014 budget includes increases to the arterial paving program, $8.5 million for new or ... more

16. Department of Finance and Administrative Services -- 19.3 percent proposed increase -- $215,342,764 total proposed budget for 2014: About $1.9 million has been earmarked to repay a loan from the emergency fund. Beyond that, the department is prepared to spend $461,497 to open and staff a customer service center, and $48 million to fuel, lease and maintain the city's cars. less

16. Department of Finance and Administrative Services -- 19.3 percent proposed increase -- $215,342,764 total proposed budget for 2014: About $1.9 million has been earmarked to repay a loan from the emergency ... more

13. Office of City Auditor -- 22.2 percent proposed increase -- $1,402,670 total proposed budget for 2014: The Auditor's Office saw a small increase to conduct a one-year study of a larger city program.

13. Office of City Auditor -- 22.2 percent proposed increase -- $1,402,670 total proposed budget for 2014: The Auditor's Office saw a small increase to conduct a one-year study of a larger city program.

11. Retirement fund -- 28.9 percent proposed increase -- $13,425,377 total proposed budget for 2014: The city hopes increased employee contributions and taxpayer support will help close the gap in the employee pension program. less

11. Retirement fund -- 28.9 percent proposed increase -- $13,425,377 total proposed budget for 2014: The city hopes increased employee contributions and taxpayer support will help close the gap in the employee ... more

10. Seattle Public Libraries -- 29.7 percent proposed increase -- $67,341,030 total proposed budget for 2014: While the library budget is increasing, no new high-price initiatives are included in the 2014 budget. less

10. Seattle Public Libraries -- 29.7 percent proposed increase -- $67,341,030 total proposed budget for 2014: While the library budget is increasing, no new high-price initiatives are included in the 2014 ... more

9. Department of Planning and Development -- 36.1percent proposed increase -- $64,019,200 total proposed budget for 2014: About 16 percent of this department's budget comes from the general fund. The rebounding economy has buoyed DPD's coffers, which will be used to pay for a $1.9 million upgrade to the permit system. less

9. Department of Planning and Development -- 36.1percent proposed increase -- $64,019,200 total proposed budget for 2014: About 16 percent of this department's budget comes from the general fund. The rebounding ... more

8. Department of Neighborhoods -- 52 percent proposed increase -- $11,722,250 total proposed budget for 2014: Among the expenses included here are improvements to the Egyptian and Moore theaters. About 44 percent of this fund goes toward paying city staff; the city expects to spend $480,751 on the director's office of this department, which has about three employees. less

8. Department of Neighborhoods -- 52 percent proposed increase -- $11,722,250 total proposed budget for 2014: Among the expenses included here are improvements to the Egyptian and Moore theaters. About 44 ... more

6. Families and Education Levy -- 61.9 percent proposed increase -- $28,940,696 total proposed budget for 2014: With a 2011 levy now up and running, the city is spending $7.2 million on early education and $5.8 million on elementary-age student support. About $1.5 million goes to administration. less

6. Families and Education Levy -- 61.9 percent proposed increase -- $28,940,696 total proposed budget for 2014: With a 2011 levy now up and running, the city is spending $7.2 million on early education and $5.8 ... more

5. Department of Information Technology -- 67.1 percent proposed increase -- $79,589,912 total proposed budget for 2014: This budget line includes $2.3 million for city web services, $3.3 million for the Seattle Channel and the city's $8.7 million phone bill. less

5. Department of Information Technology -- 67.1 percent proposed increase -- $79,589,912 total proposed budget for 2014: This budget line includes $2.3 million for city web services, $3.3 million for the ... more

4. Judgments and Claims -- 84.4 percent proposed increase -- $18,613,772 total proposed budget for 2014: This fund, about half of which goes to pay civil claims against city departments, includes $1.3 million meant to pay for police-related litigation. less

4. Judgments and Claims -- 84.4 percent proposed increase -- $18,613,772 total proposed budget for 2014: This fund, about half of which goes to pay civil claims against city departments, includes $1.3 million ... more

3. Cumulative Reserve Subfund -- 228 percent proposed increase -- $32,161,367 total proposed budget for 2014: Primarily funded by real estate excise taxes, this pile of money pays for capital projects and the city's rainy day fund. For the first time since the recession, the city is again funding this rainy day account. Also, $2 million for a new Woodland Park Zoo parking lot. less

1. Seattle Streetcar -- 755.3 percent proposed increase -- $5,736,611 total proposed budget for 2014: Work on the First Hill streetcar line drives this increase. Still, the streetcar is under performing financially. Here's what the city has to say: "Ridership continues to increase year to year, but is significantly less than forecasted when the streetcar was first implemented in 2007. Sponsorship revenues have also come in below early forecasts. Together, these dynamics create operating cash flow challenges for the streetcar. As a result of this negative cash position, the initial start-up period of the South Lake Union Streetcar is supported by" a city-backed loan. less

1. Seattle Streetcar -- 755.3 percent proposed increase -- $5,736,611 total proposed budget for 2014: Work on the First Hill streetcar line drives this increase. Still, the streetcar is under performing ... more